surgery for ear infections?

[Megabunny]

Has anyone ever had surgery done on their rabbits for ear infections? I took Gus to the vet because I thought he had a urinary infection. The vet wasn’t worried about his urinary tract, but said he has a roaring inner ear infection and has planted the seed in my head that he may be advising me to do surgery, as antibiotics apparently don’t typically clear this up long term, and he anticipates the pus still being there at the recheck, which I understand, given how deep it is, but I’ve never heard anyone mention this before…not that I’ve been on in awhile… but thought I’d put out some feelers. He seems like a smart vet and all (in Mount Pleasant SC), and I’m glad he caught it before it went too far, but sounds like he hasn’t had a lot of luck unless he does surgery. 

Any thoughts?

[jerseygirl]

Did he describe the procedure? Im thinking it’s bulla osteotomy?

Have they tried flushing the ear canal?

ETA: what antibiotics had he been on and for how long?

[JackRabbit]

I’m really curious and will be watching to hear more.

Moshi was treated for an ear infection (which has cleared up) but has some earwax super deep in his ear canal. Flushing didn’t work, and our vet said it doesn’t seem to bother him (he’s like 99% deaf) and she suggested we leave it alone unless he has to have general anesthesia for something else. Ear infections may be in our future with him so I’ll be watching this thread.

[LittlePuffyTail]

My Bindi has had chronic ear infections for years. My vet mentioned that ear surgery should only be done as an extreme last option. I did research on it and they basically lengthen the ear canal so the ear can breath and medication can get further down. I must say the pictures of the surgery were pretty distressing. My vet does not perform this surgery as it is quite rare.

Has your bunny had many ear infections in the past? Has your vet perfumed a culture? It’s possible it’s being treated with the wrong meds. Bindi has had many cultures and we’ve often had to switch meds to find the right antibiotics for the specific type of bacteria. Ear infections can be very stubborn and the bacteria can become resistant to certain types of meds so you have to switch to a different type.

[Megabunny]

Well, extending the ear canal sounds right. He showed me pictures of what they do. He said they’ve tried flushing the ears and such, but that usually doesn’t work. He said it’s usually in lops (Gus is helicopter) he said the infection is so bad that ear drum is gone and it’s like trying to get cream cheese out of a container with the top on and just a little hole to work with. So hard to know what to believe, but from what I’m hearing (no pun intended) I shouldn’t let myself be rushed into surgery. How can you not be charmed by a vet who calls their droppings “poopies”? Lol
Gus has been on marshmallow flavored Baytril for a few weeks just once a day, along with Meloxicam for pain. He’s so big they gave me pills to quarter. Good thing for bananas! I have to go back in another 1-3 weeks. People ask me how he’s doing. How do I know? Rabbits don’t show pain. Seems the same to me. I feel so badly he’s had it so long, and if I hadn’t thought he had a UTI we still might not know!

[Deleted User]

HI MEGABUNNY!!! I have no idea – just wanted to say “HI”!
Poor Gus and his beautiful big ears…. I hope he gets better soon.
Missing you lots and lots – will chat soon, cheers.

[Megabunny]

You crack me up AndHenry! I needed a laugh!

[Gingerandalgy]

hi I hope this is posting to the wider group. One of my house rabbits, Ginger, is in vet-hospital, as of 4 nights now, with Pasturella that has caused an inner ear infection. Though her severe head tilt and spinning/rolling has improved, she still refuses to eat, and so remains at the vets. She has had conjunctivitis, snotty nose, as well as nerve damage to her face (due to a passing ear infection it seems the X-ray showed earlier in the year), since Christmas. It has flared up again and this time cause severe neurological issues. Naturally she is on the right meds, but having tried long courses of Baytril in the past, the specialist is trying Penicillin G now. My sister is a vet, and I have a lot of meds at home, so as and when administer accordingly. What I am seeking is stories of those who have overcome severe middle/inner ear infections/chronic pasturella. Ginger is only 2, my best friend and loving sister to Algy. When should she come home? Is it less stressful to be in normal environment. or where she can be monitored? I have a horrid feeling soon they are going make me make a tough decision, but I don’t want to give up on her if there is recovery from antibiotics and not surgery. Or even if anyone has had surgical success? My sister warns me of horrendous survival rates (partly because by the time surgery is done, the statistics will be bias as they are poor cases for it anyway). I will continue to force feed her if I take her home, but I cannot do that indefinitely. Any help appreciated !! x

[Bam]

Gingerandalgy, please copy and paste your post into a new thread that can be started here: https://binkybunny.com/FORUM/tabid/54/afv/post/aff/2/Default.aspx

We ask members not to revive old threads, because it can create confusion on the forums. I will PM you about this as well, and then I’ll lock this thread.

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